More than 7000 schools across all 343 electoral districts signed up to participate in the 2025 federal election, including four schools here in Terrace. Students at Caledonia Secondary, Centennial Christian School, Uplands Elementary and Cassie Hall Elementary participated in this year's election.
Designed to introduce them to politics and foster participation, Student Vote Canada offers students the opportunity to explore parties and platforms, debate the issues and cast ballots for the actual candidates.
Between the four schools that held mock elections, Ellis Ross of the Conservative Party of Canada received a total of 201 out of 435 votes, or 46.2 per cent, while Taylor Bachrach of the New Democratic Party of Canada received 139 votes, or 31.9 per cent.
Liberal Party of Canada candidate Inderpal Dhillon finished third with 56 votes, or 12.9 per cent, while Adeana Young of the Green Party of Canada received 28 votes, or 6.4 per cent. Christian Heritage Party of Canada leader Rod Taylor received 11 votes, or 2.5 per cent.
The breakdown of voting in each school follows.
Caledonia Secondary
Caledonia Secondary had the narrowest margin of victory with Ross receiving 41.4 per cent of the votes and Bachrach receiving 35.1 per cent. Dhillon got 14.2 per cent, Young got 7.3 per cent and Taylor got 1.9 per cent.
Cassie Hall Elementary
Cassie Hall was the only school to re-elect Bachrach was the MP for the region, giving him 53.1 per cent of the vote. Ross got 18.8 per cent while Young narrowly finished third with 15.6 per cent. Dhillon and Taylor each received 6.3 per cent.
Uplands Elementary
Ross won in a landslide at Uplands Elementary, receiving 66.7 per cent. Dhillon finished second with 22.2 per cent. Bachrach and Taylor each got 5.6 per cent, and Young did not receive a vote.
Centennial Christian School
In another landslide, Ross won at Centennial Christian, receiving 69.9 per cent of the vote with Bachrach coming in at 18.1 per cent. Dhillon got 8.4 per cent, Taylor got 2.4 per cent and Young got 1.2 per cent.
Student Vote
The program is a partnership between CIVIX and Elections Canada. Schools receive learning materials and voting supplies including ballots, boxes, and voting screens to replicate the experience of an election.
"Student Vote is more than a simulation, it's a chance for students to see themselves as active citizens and future voters," said Lindsay Mazzucco, CEO of CIVIX. "Research shows that early experiences with voting can build the habits and confidence that lead to lifelong participation, and teachers across Canada continue to make that possible."
With files from Gary Barnes.
